Rest In Peace, Dear Friend

Peter Moore: Co-Founder of the Golf Nut Society and the best friend I’ve ever had…

In 1985, I went to my golf buddy Peter Moore and said, “What do you think of this idea?”…and the Golf Nut Society was born.

For those who may not know, Peter was the genius behind the “Air Jordan” brand and so many others in the world of sports and athletic equipment. He was worldwide creative director at both Nike and adidas and served on the board of the latter during his storied career. To be able to bounce my crazy idea off him was a godsend to be sure, but also the source of some of the most fun I’ve had in life. That amused look you see in the above photo is something I’ve seen hundreds of times in the nearly 50 years I knew that wonderful man.

One of my favorite moments was when he told me I was visually illiterate (The nerve!). And then there was the time his staff voted me “Most Difficult Client” one year. I never did get the plaque they promised me.

Sadly, we lost Peter Moore recently to a long and difficult struggle with a vicious disease that finally took his life on April 30, 2022.

It is so hard to put into words the depth of the man because it was so very deep. To him, his word was his bond and friendship was a responsibility as well as a privilege. I tried so very hard to give as much as I received from Peter Moore but he made it impossible. To say he was a giving man is wholly inadequate because that is what defined him. In all those glorious years of friendship I never doubted our relationship. Not once. Loyalty was everything to him. Loyalty to an idea, a friend, his family.

But let’s talk about golf because he dearly loved the game. He just worked too damn much, as I told him so many times. Peter Moore didn’t just love golf, he was good at it too. He won the California Public Links Championship back when it was a very big deal, defeating talented players such as Victor Regalado and other outstanding amateurs in capturing the title. He played on Saturdays when his work and travel schedule would allow it, and I was privileged to be in those foursomes over many years.

When there was a local best-ball, I would enter us and tell him he had to play. He would always complain about his game not being ready, and I would remind him that best-ball competitions are not about winning, they are about friendship. And he always played well because he did everything well.

So many memories…

Our regular foursome at the club was equal parts laughs and serious competition because we were all competitive golfers on the local scene. One day, on the 17th hole, I got a little hot after chunking a chip shot and was having a bit of a hissy fit. This was back in the day of the television series “Wild Kingdom” with its host Marlin Perkins. Peter just stood there leaning on his putter until I calmed down somewhat and quietly said, “Marlin will hold Ron down while I administer the tranquilizer.”

Funny boy…

Speaking of friendship, he called me at the office one day many years ago and asked, “What are you doing tomorrow?” “Why?” I replied. “Because Michael Jordan is coming to town for a meeting with us about being sponsored by Nike and he wants to play golf after the meeting. Do you want to join us?” “I’ll see if I can make it,” I joked. And thus began the relationship with the man who would become one of the most famous athletes in history.

A year or so later, Michael was in town for a game against the Portland Trailblazers and joined our foursome that morning for a round of golf. On the 3rd hole, a creek crosses the fairway, so I decided to have a little fun with the hyper-competitive basketball legend. As we approached the creek, I said, “Michael, I’ll bet you can’t jump over that creek.” He said, “How much?” “Five bucks.” “OK, you’re on.” He laid his bag down and started running toward the creek when Peter appeared out of nowhere and jumped in front of Michael, waving his arms frantically and yelling “STOP!”

I said, “Why? It’s only ten feet across.”

“I don’t want to read about this in the newspaper tomorrow morning if he doesn’t make it.”

MJ and I were both disappointed. What a buzz kill…

So, back to the Golf Nut Society…yes, Peter Moore designed the first GNS logo and advised on all subsequent revisions. This is the current logo…

And if you’re wondering how Michael Jordan became a member, the answer is Peter Moore. The Society was only a couple of months old when Peter asked me to join him and MJ for that first round. He also knew how desperately I wanted the Golf Nut Society to be a success. So, as we stood on the 18th hole that day, without mentioning to me beforehand what he was planning, Peter said to the greatest basketball player in the world, “Hey Michael, Ron has a new club you might be interested in.”

“What kind of club? A driver?”

“No it’s a membership club called the Golf Nut Society.”

And I chimed in with, “Yeah, and I’ll give you a free membership!”

Michael looked at me like I was nuts and said, “You don’t understand, man…you’ve got to pay me to be a member!”

And I replied, “No man, you don’t understand, “I can’t afford you!”

He laughed and said, “OK, give me some information and I’ll take a look at it.”

And the rest is history…thanks to Peter Moore.

Remember what I said about Peter and friendship? There you go. And now you know why it’s almost impossible to return favors with him. He’d have you 4-down at the turn before you knew it.

Peter Moore has been much more than a friend to me. He has been an image, branding, and marketing strategy consultant; confidant, brilliant idea man; a 2nd opinion at times when I really needed one; and a wise counsel on all matters great and small. Most important, he has been my partner in this labor of love called the Golf Nut Society.

Peter Moore was, is, and will forever be #0002…

And I miss him more than words can convey.

Ron Garland

The Head Nut

#0001

Here is a link to Peter Moore’s obituary…